I'm a day late with today's post...but I couldn't pass up the
opportunity to post this short but enjoyable letter that gives a little
of the competition between galleries.
On this day (August 13) in the year 1846, the Boston daguerreotypist
G.S. Chase penned the following letter to the partnership of Southworth
& Hawes, also of Boston:
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Boston Aug. 13th 1846
Gentlemen
I understand that you
have some miniatures at your rooms which
you exhibit as specimens of my workmanship,
not doubting but that we have taken some
poor pictures in common with others, and if
you have had the opportunity of taking them
over again, I think it altogether unfair, and
ungentlemanly to exhibit them to the public.
If you cannot establish your reputation in
a more manly way than this, I think
your case a desperate one. No one has heard
me speak ill of your pictures, and I know
not why you should seek to injure me
in such a manner. If you will take
the trouble to send them to my shop
I will pay you for your trouble.
If I have been misinformed upon the
subject, I should be happy to know it,
and I will make all due reparation.
Yours respectfully
G.S. Chase
Messrs Southworth & Hawes 257 Washington St
(Cited from the original letter now in the collection of Matthew R.
Isenburg.)
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Posted for your enjoyment. Gary W. Ewer
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08-13-98